Microsoft Word 2016:
What (else) you need to know
for your Legal Analysis Writing
and Research Class
Terry McCormack Brian Detweiler
Assoc. Director of Law Library Student Services Librarian
How to Add or Remove Space
Before or After a Paragraph on PC
1. Highlight the paragraph(s) you would like to change
2. Under the Home tab, click the Line and Paragraph Spacing
menu and select the appropriate option
How to Add or Remove Space
Before or After a Paragraph on Mac
• Paragraph spacing options are located
under the Line Spacing menu
How to Insert Non-Breaking or “Hard" Spaces
• Nonbreaking spaces are used to keep two words together,
avoiding separation by line breaks.
• Hold down Ctrl and Shift as you press the Spacebar and Word
will not break the line between the selected text.
• The same method works for Mac.
Creating a First-Line Indent with the Ruler
2. Place cursor where
you want to add the
indent
3. On the Ruler, drag
the First Line Indent
Marker (the top
triangle located on
the left side of the
ruler) to the position
where you want the
text to start
• The same method works for Mac
Hanging Indent
1. Select relevant
paragraphs
2. Slide bottom indent
(bottom triangle) to
right
• The same method works for Mac
How to Set Margins
1. Click the Layout tab on the ribbon
2. Click on Margins
3. There are a variety of options to
choose from. If your professor
requests a unique margin setting
then choose the Custom Margins
option at the bottom of the drop
down menu
• The same method works for Mac
Creating and Indenting Bullet Points and Outline Sections
Under the Home Tab, select from the outline options on the ribbon; there are three types
to chose from and an option to customize your outline. Use Tab (right) and Shift + Tab
(left) to change levels.
Bulleted Multilevel
Lists Numbered Lists
Lists
• Mac uses a similar operation
Find and Replace on PC
• From the Home tab, select either Find or Replace on the far right-hand side of the screen
or use CTRL + F
Find and Replace on Mac
• Search using the field at the top of the page next to the magnifying glass
icon or use command + F
• Click on the arrow next to the icon to replace the word
Spelling & Grammar Check
• Located under the Review tab
• Remember to reproof your document manually!
Do not rely solely
on spelling and
• The same method works for Mac
grammar check
to catch your
miss takes!
Managing AutoCorrect and other proofing options on PC
1. Click File tab
• Passive voice check
2. Select Options,
then Proofing
3. Make desired
changes
Enable (or disable) for ALL CAPS
or numbers
Enable or disable
spell check and
grammar features
Managing Spell Check & AutoCorrect on Mac
1. Select Word menu
2. Select Preferences
3. Make desired
• Enable passive voice check
changes
Tracking Changes
• Select the Track Changes option under the Review tab
• Mac uses a similar operation
Law Library Website: law.lib.buffalo.edu
• Access our slides and instructional videos on MS Word
Questions? Come see us!
Brian Detweiler Terry McCormack
Student Services Librarian Assoc. Dir. Of Law Library
440 O’Brian Hall 542 O’Brian Hall
briandet@buffalo.edu cormack@buffalo.edu
(716) 645-2384 (716) 645-2831
